Day: February 6, 2020

2 Timothy – 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” NASB

Over the past couple of days, we have considered some aspects of what Paul was telling his son in the faith, Timothy. The charge was for Timothy to find, teach, train, and impart that which was in his heart, received from the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul. This was critical to the founding and grounding of the New Testament Church.

There are Three Critical Areas in which Faithfulness is Key:

Faithfulness to God is Absolutely Essential.

Faithfulness in Relationships is Vital.

Faithfulness in Service is Indispensable.

FAITHFULNESS TO GOD.

This needs little explanation or discussion as most would readily acknowledge the need and essentiality of this. However, if we are genuinely faithful to God it will be manifest in the other areas or dimensions as well.

FAITHFULNESS IN RELATIONSHIPS.

It is an area that most Christians do not work on and need to give attention to! Remember Timothy’s mistake or potential mistake – ‘Choosing people who were possibly qualified and influential but Unfaithful.’

FAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE.

Faithfulness in Services is Indispensable! We must learn to be Servants. We must learn and become willing to do what is asked when it is asked and how it is asked even when the flesh rises and resists or the ego says that is beneath me. Even when your ego raises its ugly head and declares that is not using my gifts or abilities to the fullest. Even when you feel that you are not appreciated and recognized as you should be.

God’s way is to first ‘make the man’ then He ‘releases the ministry’. Tragically, the Church has gotten the cart before the horse too often. We recognize ‘gifts’, ‘charisma’, ‘talent’, and ‘ability’ and immediately Send Forth into ministry!

PERSONAL TESTIMONY.

I was released wrongly but God taught me the necessity of Serving. I was almost immediately sent out because people could see the hand of God on me and God gifted me with passion and ability to convey the message, so the response was Go Out! I should have been sitting and being nurtured but within weeks after my conversion, I was sent out. I saw that truth in Bible College and have observed it in my 40 years of ministry.

Frequently when someone is called or God uses them to some degree or measure of success and instills a vision in their hearts along with His promise and we respond with bad timing. Many who have been called develop the mistaken idea that they should be immediately released to pursue that vision, but they are not ready.

They are overcome with the VISION.

They expect to be RECOGNIZED.

They become more SPIRITUAL than anyone.

They make sure everyone knows they are ANOINTED, APPOINTED, CALLED, and COMMISSIONED.

They demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to listen to others without a CRITICAL ATTITUDE believing in their hearts they could do a better job, or they just know better.

They have not learned one of the key traits for Leadership is rooted in a Servant’s heart! If we do not learn how to Serve, we are not qualified to Lead!